Imagine living in a home that is not only unique but also a living testament to human ingenuity and love for nature.
This is the story of Grant Johnson, a man who turned a massive cave in the middle of the desert into an astonishing off-grid 5,700-square-foot house.
This isn’t an ordinary dwelling; it’s a craftsmanship masterpiece with a music studio and modern, elegant furnishings.
Grant’s journey began when, in his twenties, he moved to Utah and purchased a large piece of land that would later be surrounded by a national monument.
His property, called Inholding, remained private, allowing him to develop it according to his wishes.
For over 20 years, Grant dedicated himself to building this incredible cave house, skillfully integrating running water and electricity to meet all the comforts of a modern home.
The uniqueness of this cave house hasn’t gone unnoticed.
In fact, you can experience its wonder in person by renting a private room on Airbnb.
A former tenant shared his enthusiasm: „There is nothing in the world like the Boulder House.
It is one of the wonders of the modern world – a fully functioning, modernized home, carved into a massive rock.
The journey through the creek to get there was harmless but exciting.
The horses and cows around the place were fascinating, and the views in every direction were spectacular.
Don’t miss the chance to stay here!“
Grant’s connection with nature began when, at 17, he moved to Moab for school.
While pursuing his studies, he explored hiking and worked in local mines.
His experiences led to a deep appreciation for the wilderness.
„I dealt with stabilizing Indian ruins and got more and more into the wilderness.
Then I didn’t see news anymore. I didn’t read anything.
I completely withdrew,“ he shared with Tiny House Giant Journey.
In tune with an off-grid lifestyle, Grant sought a place in the canyons to grow his food.
The result was his extensive cave house, a vision he could hardly have imagined years ago.
But creating this house was no small feat.
It not only required minimal equipment but also dynamite.
„I started blasting in 1995, first with a little gallery here.
From the start of blasting, I was committed, and then probably eight seasons of blasting,“ Grant explained.
After the blasting phase, the property remained unused for several years as Grant reflected on its potential and gathered the necessary means.
„I didn’t know what I wanted. You know, how I wanted to finish it,“ he said.
But finish it, he did, and the result is nothing short of spectacular.
The cave, surprisingly bright, features windows carved into the rock, reinforced with steel and equipped with glass, offering breathtaking views of the surrounding countryside.
Living off the grid in a desert environment requires ingenuity, especially concerning fundamental needs like energy, food, and water.
Grant tackled these challenges with determination.
„I planted the orchard right away. And we had a water wheel, a big 22-foot diameter water wheel, that powered the pump.
We laid about 6,500 feet of pipe from the pond, which fed the water wheel because I always knew that, if we could afford it, we would have gravity, because we’re a mile below the pond…
So I just hooked up and installed a turbine,“ he explained.
Grant’s self-sufficiency doesn’t stop at growing vegetables.
He created a mini-ecosystem that includes various cultivated plants and livestock.
„The biggest crop is tomatoes and peppers and corn, potatoes, a lot of garlic, but then also all the little things, greens and carrots and turnips.
I love bacon, sausages, and this pork. To raise pigs, you have to have a cow that gives milk because pigs eat milk.
Otherwise, it’s not worth it. You know, it costs so much to feed them.
So we feed them with milk. You have to get the cow pregnant and then you have to milk.
And then you have to have a way to feed the milking cows.
That’s why there are all these fields, to feed the animals, horses, and cows,“ he explained.
Twenty years later, Grant’s land is not only beautiful but also sustainable.
He loves his home and lifestyle, although the size of the house has prompted him to rent it out to guests, a great way to meet new people.
„People are inspired by it. I didn’t expect that. And it’s really so,“ he reflects.
Indeed, Grant’s cave house is a remarkable example of alternative living and inspires us all with its blend of nature, innovation, and sustainable living.
Enjoy the full tour of Grant’s amazing house in the video below.
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